Samsung confirms making ASIC chips for cryptocurrency mining

Yesterday, it was reported that Samsung is entering the cryptocurrency market by making ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) chips for mining hardware companies. Samsung has now confirmed this news to TechCrunch. This news follows Samsung’s Q4 2017 earnings, where its semiconductor business has performed stupendously well to emerge as the largest chip maker in the world by ending Intel’s 24-year reign at the top. When asked for a comment,...

Samsung to hire 1000 engineers for three R&D centers in India

As you may or may not know, Samsung spends a considerable amount of money on research and development every year. With the way tech is shaping up these days, one can only expect an increase in the efforts applied to this extremely pertinent portion of the business. Last year we saw Samsung India hire 800 engineers for its R&D facilities, and this year they seem to be upping the ante. Samsung India will hire 1000 engineers this year from top institutes...

VLC for Android adds DeX support in its latest beta

While VLC is the default go-to media player for many users on their computer, it is not always the case when it comes to Android. Between pre-installed media players from OEMs and dozens of great options on Google Play, users have plenty of choice on their mobiles and tablets. It is not that VLC is not popular, but there are equally good or better options on Android. VLC for Android picks up DeX support Given the not-for-profit nature of VLC, the...

Samsung announces first ever stock split to boost shareholder value

Many Samsung investors had been calling on the company to boost shareholder returns so the company launched its Shareholder Value Enhancement Program in 2015. Since then, it has given out billions in dividends and spent billions on buying back shares to cancel them. The company confirmed in 2016 that it was thinking about a stock split. The company’s board has approved a 50:1 stock split today as Samsung posted record profits for the final quarter...

Samsung has emerged as the world’s largest chipmaker, dethrones Intel

Samsung became the world’s most profitable tech company in the second quarter of last year but that wasn’t the only record it broke. It also ended Intel’s 24-year reign as the largest semiconductor-based chipmaker in the world. Samsung posted higher revenue and operating profits compared to Intel during Q2 2017. That wasn’t a one-time thing. Samsung’s semiconductor business has seen a terrific boom in the past year and that has helped the company...

Samsung trademarks ‘Uhssup’ for possibly its own messaging app

Samsung is primarily a hardware company, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t tried its hand at services. Back in 2014, Samsung launched its Milk music streaming service in select markets, only to shut it down a few years later. With rivals like Apple making a good chunk of money from services, it is expected that Samsung would want to replicate the success. Being the largest smartphone vendor in the world gives Samsung an enviable opportunity to pre-load...

Samsung trademarks ‘Uhssup’ for possibly its own messaging app

Samsung is primarily a hardware company, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t tried its hand at services. Back in 2014, Samsung launched its Milk music streaming service in select markets, only to shut it down a few years later. With rivals like Apple making a good chunk of money from services, it is expected that Samsung would want to replicate the success. Being the largest smartphone vendor in the world gives Samsung an enviable opportunity to pre-load...

Galaxy S8 Tip: Prepare your phone for the Android 8.0 Oreo update

It’s only a matter of time before Samsung starts rolling out the official Android 8.0 Oreo update to the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+, with the beta program having ended in every country where it was made available. Galaxy S8 and S8+ owners will be scrambling to download the update once it goes live, but have you prepared your phone well enough for its first major Android OS upgrade? We’ve put together...

These Galaxy devices will be updated to Android 8.0 Oreo (updated: January 31)

Not many topics keep Android users on their toes as much as big, feature-rich updates. And with the Android 8.0 Oreo update on the horizon, we are once more bombarded with questions. Will the Galaxy S8 get that update? When can I update my Galaxy S7? How about my Galaxy S6? Here we share what we know. Be smart and bookmark, since we’ll be updating this article whenever new information surfaces. We’ll get right to the question of which device will...

Samsung might finally start producing its foldable smartphone this year

It has been rumored for a few years now that Samsung is working on a foldable smartphone. We’ve heard countless rumors and seen many patents but Samsung is yet to launch such a device. Recent reports suggested that it may be out in early 2018 and while Samsung itself said that it would launch the foldable smartphone in 2018, it’s unclear when the company might do that. Foldable OLED panels are part of Samsung’s 2018 strategy It was reported earlier...

Samsung’s mobile division continues to struggle

Samsung earned $14.13 billion in operating profit in the fourth quarter of last year but this stellar performance can’t really be attributed to the company’s mobile division. Samsung’s mobile business has been under pressure for quite a while now due to several factors such as increasing competition from Chinese rivals in key markets. The company released its earnings results for Q4 2017 today and they reveal that the struggles of its mobile business...

Is Samsung about to release final Galaxy S8 Android 8.0 Oreo update?

It looks like Samsung is sending out a final thank you message to everyone who participated in the Galaxy S8 and S8+ Oreo beta program and could be close to releasing the official update. A few users are seeing a new notice about the beta in the Samsung Members app, with the Galaxy Beta team simply saying that it is doing its “best to distribute the official S/W version”. No date or ETA is mentioned...

Samsung is reportedly making mining hardware for cryptocurrencies

Cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology have seen a huge spike in interest in the last couple of years. With exponential returns on investment, the cryptocurrency market has seen huge investments recently. While some prefer to just buy the Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies for quick returns, the more tech-savvy ones opt for mining coins using high-end mining hardware. This has resulted in huge demand for high-end graphics cards and customized...

[Poll] Galaxy A8 (2018) owners: How do you like the fingerprint sensor placement?

As we said in our Galaxy A8 (2018) and Galaxy A8+ review, the fingerprint sensor is easier to use on Samsung’s latest mid-range phones compared to the company’s 2017 flagships, but it’s still not in the ideal location. That’s especially true on the 6-inch Galaxy A8+; the sensor is housed in the same cutout as the rear camera, so there is some amount of hand movement involved between tapping the sensor and using the phone. Your take on the Galaxy...

Galaxy A8 (2018) Tips: 11 things to do on your shiny new A8 or A8+

So you’ve got yourself one of Samsung’s new mid-range phones or are planning to do so, either because you love selfies or because you’re looking for a flagship-like experience without paying the price a flagship would command. The Galaxy A8 (2018) and Galaxy A8+ are good choices for people who fall in either camp (or both), as we said in our review. There’s a lot to do on these phones, from taking...

Galaxy A8 (2018) January security patch update rolling out

The Galaxy A8+ (2018) was quick to receive the January security patch update, with some markets getting the update before the phone hit retail shelves. The Galaxy A8 (2018) seemed to have been sidetracked, but Samsung is finally updating the smaller of its new mid-range phones with the latest security maintenance release (SMR). The update is rolling out in the UAE at the moment, with firmware version A530FXXU1ARA3. Oddly, the Galaxy A8+ is still...

Samsung Pay launched in Mexico

After its successful launch in many parts of the world, Samsung Pay is now coming to Mexico. Mexico is the second Latin American country, after Brazil in July 2016, to get Samsung Pay. Samsung says the service is now available in 20 global markets with this launch. Samsung Pay is now available in 20 global markets Samsung has partnered with Mexico’s leading banks and payment providers to launch the service there. Supported banks at launch include...

Galaxy S9 features and improvements we’re looking forward to

It won’t be long before Samsung takes the stage to unveil the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+, and like every year, we’ve got a pretty good idea of what to expect from the company’s next flagship(s) thanks to numerous leaks and rumors. Samsung says it is “reimagining” the camera with the S9, but there’s likely to be a lot more the Galaxy S8 successor will bring to the table. Much of the discussion here at SamMobile these days revolves around the Galaxy...

‘Selfie focus’ camera mode may be standard feature for non-flagship Galaxies

Before Live Focus, there was Selective focus. Selective focus is Samsung’s name for a camera mode that lets you take portrait photos – photos that blur everything around the subject in focus – with a single camera. It also allows users to change the area of focus after a picture has been taken. Selective focus debuted on the Galaxy S5 and has since been seen on every Samsung flagship, with flagships...